By Uzma Sahar 
Baldur’s Gate 3 dominated the Game Awards 2023, winning six awards including the coveted Game of the Year.
Baldur’s Gate 3:
- Larian Studios’ masterpiece is voted Game of the Year and Best RPG.
- Neil Newbon wins Best Performance Award for his role of Astarion.
Other Notable Winnings:
- Alan Wake 2 wins awards for best game direction, narrative, and art direction.
- The Last of Us, an HBO series, wins Best Adaptation.
- Cyberpunk 2077 wins the Best Ongoing Game Award for its continued excellence.
- Cocoon wins Best Independent Game.
Beyond the Awards :
- Exodus, a sci-fi video game from Hideo Kojima, and “OD”, starring Jordan Peele in Hideo’s “OD”, have been announced.
- Trailers released for Hellblade 2, Final Fantasy VII: Rebirth, and Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons.
- The focus of the awards on trailers is criticized in light of job cuts and industry budget cuts.
A Night of Celebration & Reflection:
The Game Awards 2023 honored the achievements of the gaming industry while providing a glimpse into the future. The event also ignited discussions on recognizing the talented individuals who create the games. This is especially important in light of the industry-wide layoffs.